Nickell seeking final term in Ward 1
Formally pulls petitions for final two years due to term limits
NORTH ROYALTON – Ward 1 Councilman John Nickell is the second incumbent to pull petitions seeking re-election this year.
Nickell, 54, who serves as director of technology for the North Royalton School District, is currently in the middle of his fifth two-year term on council, which expires Dec. 31.
Nickell said this city council and administration have accomplished a great deal together – spending millions in storm projects to mitigate home flooding, constructing the YMCA as a joint venture, facilitating construction of the new public county library by providing the land, improving public facilities by renovating the former library into a modern and functional city hall — but there is more to be done.
This isn’t just another term for him. If re-elected, it would be his last term. He like a few others on council, including the mayor, will be termed out come 2019, as elected officials in North Royalton may only serve 12 consecutive years in any one seat. Nickell did indicate during the last ward election in 2015 that this current term would be his last, planning to break in 2018 and 2019 to gear up for a run at mayor in 2019.
Nickell reconsidered that break and opted to run for council one more time, while simultaneously gearing up for the 2019 mayoral campaign.
“At that moment in time, I wasn’t sure how my time and family commitments would mesh. I feel I will be able to manage the time required to visit and walk the whole city in the two years ahead,” he said.
He said he has “2020 vision,” looking ahead past a final council term and into a future he believes is possible as mayor where he will build upon the successes the city accomplished the past nine years.
“As I run for re-election to the Ward 1 council seat, I am strongly called to continue my service past city council,” Nickell said.
Things he wants to tackle are the widening of state Route 82 which is set to begin in 2018; improving signage and aesthetics along main entrance roads with cleaned-up berm; street softening with trees and/or plant pots; developing a long-term plan for intersection pinch points to add turning lanes where feasible; connecting the city’s core to the Metroparks all-purpose trail being constructed soon; beginning to coordinate summer events for the community like music in the parks on weekends; and forming a committee to revitalize home days.
“North Royalton has come so far in the past 10 years with a cooperative city council and administration. It was not without deep discussion on many topics, but for the most part, we kept the former rancor out of the local politics here in North Royalton. We have taken bold steps to better serve our residents in a timely manner. This is what I will continue and improve upon. Like Emeril, the well-known chef when he exclaims “bam” when he adds some spice to his creations, I feel I can add a spark to our NORO Nation in the 2020 vision I have for North Royalton.”
Each ward councilperson needs 50 valid signatures from registered voters in their specific ward to file. All six ward seats are up for re-election this year. These are all two-year terms.
Council President Larry Antoskiewicz, who has also expressed intent to run for mayor in 2019, is not up for re-election this year, as his seat is a four-year term.
Nickell, 54, who serves as director of technology for the North Royalton School District, is currently in the middle of his fifth two-year term on council, which expires Dec. 31.
Nickell said this city council and administration have accomplished a great deal together – spending millions in storm projects to mitigate home flooding, constructing the YMCA as a joint venture, facilitating construction of the new public county library by providing the land, improving public facilities by renovating the former library into a modern and functional city hall — but there is more to be done.
This isn’t just another term for him. If re-elected, it would be his last term. He like a few others on council, including the mayor, will be termed out come 2019, as elected officials in North Royalton may only serve 12 consecutive years in any one seat. Nickell did indicate during the last ward election in 2015 that this current term would be his last, planning to break in 2018 and 2019 to gear up for a run at mayor in 2019.
Nickell reconsidered that break and opted to run for council one more time, while simultaneously gearing up for the 2019 mayoral campaign.
“At that moment in time, I wasn’t sure how my time and family commitments would mesh. I feel I will be able to manage the time required to visit and walk the whole city in the two years ahead,” he said.
He said he has “2020 vision,” looking ahead past a final council term and into a future he believes is possible as mayor where he will build upon the successes the city accomplished the past nine years.
“As I run for re-election to the Ward 1 council seat, I am strongly called to continue my service past city council,” Nickell said.
Things he wants to tackle are the widening of state Route 82 which is set to begin in 2018; improving signage and aesthetics along main entrance roads with cleaned-up berm; street softening with trees and/or plant pots; developing a long-term plan for intersection pinch points to add turning lanes where feasible; connecting the city’s core to the Metroparks all-purpose trail being constructed soon; beginning to coordinate summer events for the community like music in the parks on weekends; and forming a committee to revitalize home days.
“North Royalton has come so far in the past 10 years with a cooperative city council and administration. It was not without deep discussion on many topics, but for the most part, we kept the former rancor out of the local politics here in North Royalton. We have taken bold steps to better serve our residents in a timely manner. This is what I will continue and improve upon. Like Emeril, the well-known chef when he exclaims “bam” when he adds some spice to his creations, I feel I can add a spark to our NORO Nation in the 2020 vision I have for North Royalton.”
Each ward councilperson needs 50 valid signatures from registered voters in their specific ward to file. All six ward seats are up for re-election this year. These are all two-year terms.
Council President Larry Antoskiewicz, who has also expressed intent to run for mayor in 2019, is not up for re-election this year, as his seat is a four-year term.